Decorative tile surfaces and methods of fabricating the same



3 Sheets-Sheet l KENNETH M. GHLE Aug. 16, 1955 K. M. GALE DECORATIVETILE SURFACES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME BY j F/TTORNEY Aug.16, 1955 K, GALE 2,715,289

DECORATIVE TILE SURFACES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME Filed Feb.14, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F J. 524 /7 /6 6g /7 /6 /7 /7 /6 6 m /6 M w /7M M5 7 /6s /6 /7 INVENTOR. KEN/v5 TH M GHLE f7 TTORNEY Aug. 16, 1955 KM, ALE 2,715,289

DECORATIVE TILE SURFACES AND METHODS OF' FABRICATING THE SAME Filed Feb.14, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q INVENTOR.

KENNETH M. GF/LE HTTORNEY This invention relates to improve-roe tilesurfaces or" the type known as and methods of fabricating the same.

Tile surfaces, such as floors and walls, of

mosaics type heretofore manufactured and laid have conventionally beencomposed of a series of tile panels which comprise sections of a flooror Wall and are or su i f. oration and dimensions. Eac of such sec nalpanels is in itseli composed of a mu -city of tile units to other unitsof a different co orc. to produce th 'glanned design to posi ed or lacethese panels in a given order relatively to each other, and one of theedges of each of tile panels :3 here ofore been identified as the top orleading edge on the foundation or backing sheets thereof edge that dgese this on dation or backing sheet and to apply the A on the floor withthe top or leading d; in a given order or direction for the floor thespeci Darrel. Thus, in each such tile floor or we embo d in the tile cor'entiorlally predeternn ed and the ider' each of the panels in a poswhich were similarly identified was nee s3 said, comprise thedesign-producing lements, might pro duce a single sp cific embodieddesign on the floor or Wal Cne of the objects of this invention is toutilize panels in the production of a tile floor wall of ar des' each ofwhich panels comnrises an i dependent design element capable ofuncontrolled and non-sequential integration other similar elements varpositions in the floor or Wall.

Another object of this invention. 35 to necessity of identi ying the topor leadin; panel.

Another object of this invention is to provide an arrangement in each ofthe panels of the desi r elements which will enable the production of afloor pattern having a general artistic de gn Wi of modification,Without loss of the varying the relative positioning of the tile panels.

Another object or" this invention is the utilization of panels capableof being laid on the floor at random with any one of its edges as thetop or leading edge, thus greatly increasing the speed with which thepanels may be set by a tile setter.

Another object or" this invention is to develop a cornplcte floor designof the tile units which will comprise a elov/i or meandering floorpattern, and when as: on the floor this pattern will provide apleasobject of this invention is to utilize in a tile floor the typespecified a tile units each of the corners which 1 points around varyingmodifications 0f lowing, meanderin and unnrcdictable pattern hove 5 heelbe develope l Wi tout any contrel Whats-sewof the di ection in which thetile panels :QEIlil'ilCZliOll of a top or leading setter is not only notrequired e or a tile panel to determine e ge thereof, but, on thecontrary, d to set or insert the tile pane action which may occur and Wlto develop a controlled or predetermined pat- 10 ice sheets 1 suchdirection as to satisfy e urge of his own.

other objects in view, to invention com- P931 of members and arrangementof red as to co-act and cooperat with each e performance of thefunctions and the accomof the results h in contemplated, and coinone ofits adapta. us the spe ies or preferred istrated in the ace mpanyingigs, in Which: lan of a floor composed of a series tile panels embodyingsquare tile units i or pattern illustrated by setth varying edges at thetop;

eW in perspective of one of the identical the panels emplo producing thefloor illustrated in colored tile units so arranged in re uction of thefree-fiowing or n .i Fig. l and a series of modiv'ew in plan showinanother floor formed e nanel sh :Vll in 5, some of Which spective of asquare tile panel units arranged to comprise patadapt d to produce asone modification door shown in Fig. 4;

plan of still another form of floor of oblong tile panels having squarearise pattern elements adapted on the des illustrated; and W inperspective of an oblong tile panel .Ile its comprising design elementsfor the production of the floor shown in Fig. 6 as one designmodification capable of being formed with said oblong pane.

Referring no to these drawings, Which illustrate a preferred embodimentof my invention, Fig. 1 illustrates a decorative tile floor of the typeconventionally known as ceramic mosaics and comprises twelve identicalsquare panels which I have numbered 1 to 12 inclusive and which, asshown in assembled condition, embody one embodiment or modification ofmy irregular free-flowing and meandering pattern capable of being formedor produced by the positioning of said identical square panels at randomor varying positions relatively to each other. Each of the twelve panelsshown in Fig. 1 comprises a tile panel P shown in perspective in Fig. 2,and is composed of a paper-backing sheet 13 of square configuration onwhich is mounted a multiplicity of square tile units 14 slightly spacedfrom each other and arranged in a series of squares positioned inhorizontal and vertical alignment with each other, and, in accordancewith my invention, each panel comprises a position-interchangeabledesign element having its design-forming tile units 14 so arranged as toenable the panels to be capable of independent or random positioning inrelation to other panels to produce a novel floor or wall. My novelpanels P by uncontrolled and non-sequential integration in a series ofpositions relatively to other identical panels will thus produce, whenassembled on a floor or wall, one modification or embodiment of ageneral artistic tile design or pattern for a floor or wall. In each ofsuch panels, the series of the tile-units 14 composing the same comprisebackground tile-units 14 and design-forming tile-units 14 and said units14 and 14 are arranged in the panel to produce therein apositioninterchangeable design. This is accomplished by so positioningthe said design-forming and background tile units relatively to eachother and to the edges of a panel as to produce a novel panel designcapable, as aforesaid, of being assembled at random in a floor or wallto produce one member of a series of modifications or embodiments of ageneral uncontrolled, irregular, free-flowing or meandering pattern suchas shown in Fig. l and which is adapted to be developed by the settingor positioning of the panels in the floor in a varying sequence andwithout regard to retaining one edge of the panel always in the samedirection which would be necessary to procure a controlled design.

In accordance with the preferred form of my invention, thedesign-forming tile-units 14 are distinctively colored to distinguishthem from the background tile-units 14 and the ,corners of the panel andthe tile-units positioned at such corners always comprise tile-units 14and these corner tile-units are utilized as pivotal orcentrally-disposed design-forming members around which my unpredictable,uncontrolled and free-flowing and meandering pattern is developed whenno effort is made to restrain the modification of design through controlof the direction of the edges of the individual tile panels. Thus, inthe tile panel illustrated in Fig. 2 the corner tile-unit 14 and aseries of additional design-forming tile-units 14 are positioned at eachof the corners of the panel and an arrangement of tile-units in thepanel is formed in which design-forming units 14 extend from each ofsuch pivotal corners in a general diagonal direction through backgroundtile-units 14 toward the center of the panel. It will be observed thatwhen such panels are assembled as shown in Fig. 1 varying edges may beused as the forward or top edge and the panels may be laid or setwithout regard to any controlling of the design by the conventionallaying of the panels in a controlled given direction and four of thepivotal designforming tile-units 14 will provide a center around whichthe general design is developed and from which additional design-formingunits radiate in a general diagonal direction. A floor or wall designsuch as shown in Fig. 1 may thus be produced that comprises onemodification of a general free-flowing and uncontrolled pattern, and itwill be noted that the floor pattern or design shown in Fig. 1 has anartistic appeal because of the avoidance of the staid sameness andregularized positioning of lines inherent in assembled tile heretoforelaid.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the reverse side or backingsheet of the tilepanel illustrated in Fig. 2, and it will be observed that such reverseside is devoid of any identification in regard to one edge being the topof the tile panel. In the embodiment shown, I have on the contraryplaced on each edge a diiferent number of a series of symbols that willnot interfere with a random application or setting of the panels in afloor or wall, but will, if desired, permit a continuous changing ofposition of the edges of the panels relatively to each other to enable asetter to procure a series of varying modifications of the generaldesign in floors or walls.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown one modification 15 of another generaluncontrolled design of a tile floor or wall formed of panels 16 composedof background units 16 and. pivotal tile units 17, the latter of whichprovide a square center formed of four corner design-forming tile-unitswith diagonally-disposed design units radiating diagonally therefromthrough the background tile-units. In this embodiment, a tile panel 16is formed which is similar in square configuration to the panel shown inFig. 2. One uncontrolled assembly of such panel units will produce thedesign modification illustrated in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4 five of the panelsare arranged in detached relationship to the balance of the floorpattern in order more clearly to show that each of the pivotal cornertile-units is represented in the diagonal design pattern and that whenthe tile panels are assembled, four of these corner tile-units form anintegral central portion of the floor design.

In all other respects the tile-units and panels formed thereby aresimilar to those shown and described in relation to Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown another modification -18 of still anothergeneral uncontrolled design of tile fioor or wall which is similarlyformed of panels 19, each composed of square background anddesign-forming tileunits 20 and 21 similar to the tile-units of thepanels shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 and 5. i In this embodiment, however,the tile panel 19 is oblong in configuration, but the dimension of thelong edges of the oblong tile panel is preferably twice the dimension ofthe width or relatively short edges of such panel to enable completeinterchangeability of such panels in a floor or wall. The design-formingtile-units of Figs. 6 and 7 also include a pivotal corner unit 21 andwhen the panels are assembled in a floor or wall four of these pivotalcorner units provide an aggregate square center formed of such'pivotaldesign-forming tile-units and additional design-forming units radiatediagonally from this aggregated center through the background tile-unitsin a manner similar to that shown in Figs. l, 2, 4 and 5.

In this embodiment, I have shown in Fig. 6 one uncontrolled assembly ormodification of the general design embodied in such panel units. Thisassembly, as shown, embodies six position-interchangeable panels 19 ofthe type shown in Fig. 7 disposed in lengthwise positions but it will beunderstood that because of the dimensional characteristics of thesepanels some of them might, if desired, be placed crosswise'ortransversely while others might be positioned vertically.

In other respects this embodiment is similar to the embodimentshereinabove described.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A decorative tile surface of the type known as ceramic mosaicscomprising a series of assembled rec tangular panel members, each panelmember being formed of a backing sheet having mounted thereon amultiplicity of tile units composed of background tile units anddesignforming tile units positioned and connected together relatively toeach other to form said rectangular panel member, each of saidrectangular panel members having at each of its corners a design-formingtile unit provided with a rectangular corner registering with andconforming to the angularity of the panel corner, said cornerdesignforming tile units having additional design-forming membersextending from said design-forming tile units at the corner of the panelthrough background tile units toward the middle of the panel, saidcorner tile units forming, when a series of said panels are positionedin such assembled tile surface, a series of parts of a center of designin one decorative tile surface of an uncontrolled pattern formed of saiddesign-forming units within said background units in such tile surface,said decorative tile surface comprising one member of a plurality ofdecorative tile surfaces adapted to be formed by said series of panelunits.

2. In a method of fabricating decorative tile surfaces of the type knownas ceramic mosaics, the steps of forming a tile panel by mounting andarranging on a backing member of rectangular configuration amultiplicity of tile units embodying background units and design-formingunits to form an integral part of a complyete design of a ceramicmosaic, positioning at least one of said tile-forming units at eachcorner of each panel to provide in each panel a design-forming cornertile unit adapted upon assembly of a series of panels in a tile surfaceto produce with other corner tile-forming units a design center composedof the abutting design-forming corner u'le units of said series of tilesand around which design center vary ing modifications of a free-flowing,unpredictable, meandering pattern may be developed irrespective of thedirection in which the tile panels are positioned relatively to eachother, and setting a series of such tile panels in a random sequence ina finished tile surface to develop therein an uncontrolled, meanderingpattern.

3. In a method of fabricating decorative tile surfaces of the type knownas ceramic mosaics, the steps of forming a tile panel by mounting andarranging on a backing member of rectangular configuration amultiplicity of tile units, each having an identical rectangular shapeand embodying background units and design-forming units to form anintegral part of the complete design of a ceramic mosaic, positioning atleast one of said rectangular tile-forming units at each corner of eachpanel to provide in each panel a design-forming corner tile unit adaptedupon assembly of a series of panels in a tile surface to produce withother corner tile-forming units a design center composed of the abuttingdesign-forming corner tile units of said series of tiles and aroundwhich design center varying modifications of a free-flowing,unpredictable, meandering pattern may be developed irrespective of thedirection in which the tile panels are positioned relatively to eachother, and setting a series of such tile panels in a random sequence ina finished tile surface to develop therein said uncontrolled, meanderingpattern.

4. In a method of fabricating decorative tile surfaces of the type knownas ceramic mosaics, the steps of forming a tile panel by mounting andarranging on a backing member of rectangular configuration amultiplicity of tile units, each having an identical rectangular shapeand embodying background units and design-forming units to form anintegral part of the complete design of a ceramic mosaic, positioning,in a design formation extending in a meandering pattern from each of thecorners of said panel through the background tile units toward thecenter of the panel, at least one of said rectangular tile-forming unitsat each corner of each panel to provide on each panel a design-formingcorner tile unit adapted upon assembly of a series of panels in a tilesurface to produce with other corner tile-forming units a design centercomposed of the abutting design-forming corner tile units of said seriesof tiles and around which design center varying modifications of afree-flowing, unpredictable, meandering pattern may be developedirrespective of the direction in which the tile panels are positionedrelatively to each other, and setting a series of such panels in arandom sequence in a finished tile surface to develop therein saiduncontrolled, meandering pattern.

5. In a method of fabricating decorative tile surfaces of the type knownas ceramic mosaics, the steps of forming a tile panel of oblongconfiguration having its long edges double the length of its short edgesby mounting and arranging on a backing member of such rectangularconfiguration a multiplicity of tile units each having an identicalrectangular shape and embodying background units and design-formingunits to form an integral part of the complete design of a ceramicmosaic, positioning, in a design formation extending in a meanderingpattern from each of the corners of said panel through the backgroundtile units toward the center of the panel, at least one of saidrectangular tile-forming units at each corner of each panel to provideon each panel a design-forming corner tile unit adapted, upon assemblyof a series of panels in a tile surface, to produce with other cornertile-forming units a design center composed of the abuttingdesign-forming corner tile units of said series of tiles and aroundwhich design center varying modifications of a free-flowing,unpredictable, meandering pattern may be developed irrespective of thedirection in which the tile panels are positioned relatively to eachother, and setting such tile panels in a random sequence in a finishedtile surface to develop therein said uncontrolled, meandering pattern.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS702,328 Parker June 10, 1902 1,133,604 Alcan Mar. 30, 1915 1,857,856Medina May 10, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 288,853 Italy Sept. 25, 1931

